Gareth Bale admits he is flattered at being described as one of the best players in the world. Tottenham's attacking midfielder has become one of the hottest properties in European football following scintillating displays for club and country.

The 23-year-old has scored 23 goals, leading to speculation that Real Madrid have made him their top transfer target and comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

"I think anybody would love to be mentioned alongside the best in the world," Bale said in an interview with Sport magazine. "It's flattering but I don't really look too much into it. I don't get the newspapers or read too many reports, so I don't really know how much hype there is. My friends tell me things but I just treat every day as normal and focus on my job.

"I don't model my game on Ronaldo's. I have my own way of playing and it's not exactly the same but we do have similar attributes. I just like watching the best players: seeing Messi and Ronaldo. I've watched Ronaldo in the past and you do take things from other people's games to try to improve as a player."

Bale grabbed attention in 2010 when he scored a hat-trick against Internazionale in the San Siro and went on to embarrass Maicon in the return fixture. Some doubted whether Bale could improve much more following those two games but his game has come on immeasurably since.

Bale said André Villas-Boas has played a significant part in his development, improving his tactical awareness since the days of the previous Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

"Harry was more 'go out there and play how you feel and express yourself'. With André, there's a certain shape and a style we play," Bale said. "I think Harry was more free and let you do what you want. André does that too but there's a lot more tactical work. I think it's something that's good to learn. We've done well this year and I think that's down to our defending as well as attacking."

Villas-Boas and Bale face a huge test of their Champions League credentials when they face Arsenal at home on Sunday. Yet Arsenal will have their work cut out marking Bale, especially without first choice right-back Bacary Sagna and left-back Kieran Gibbs, who are injured. Spurs will move seven points ahead of their north London rivals in the race for Champions League qualification if they win.

Tottenham were thumped 5-2 at the Emirates three months ago, thanks in part to Emmanuel Adebayor's early dismissal. Bale thinks that defeat will have no bearing on the outcome this time against Arsenal, who have finished above their neighbours every year since 1995.

Bale said: "It's a massive game and Arsenal are probably the one team we want to beat more than anything. [We've] got stronger every year since I've been here. I think the standard of players is going up and up. We're still progressing now, and hopefully there's a lot more to come."